Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food: Imports

Carla Lockhart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what provisions there are in recent free trade agreements to ensure imported food is produced to the UK standards.

Mark Spencer: All food and drink products imported into the UK must comply with the UK’s import requirements and standards. The UK’s Free Trade Agreements do not create any new permissions for imports and do not compromise on the UK’s high environmental protection, animal welfare, plant health, and food standards. The UK’s food safety standards are overseen by the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland. Both provide independent advice to UK Health ministers. Alongside other government agencies, they oversee the regulation of imported food and feed to ensure that it complies with the UK’s high safety standards, protect ing consumers from unsafe food. Without exception, the UK will continue to protect food standards in the UK under all existing and future Free Trade Agreements. Decisions on these standards remain a matter for the UK and will be made separately from any trade agreements. The Prime Minister has been clear that there will be no chlorine-washed chicken and no hormone-treated beef on the UK market.

Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the amount of notice owners will require ahead of the coming into force of the Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023.

Mark Spencer: It is the Government’s intention that the ban on the use of electronic shock collars is introduced on a revised timeline and allows owners sufficient time to retrain their dogs.

Electronic Training Aids

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has received representations from animal welfare organisations on the notice owners require ahead of the coming into force of the Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023.

Mark Spencer: It is the Government’s intention that the ban on the use of electronic shock collars is introduced on a revised timeline and allows owners sufficient time to retrain their dogs.

Electronic Training Aids

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what date he plans to bring into force the Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023.

Mark Spencer: The Government remains committed to introducing a ban on the use of e-collars. We will pursue new regulations to deliver this commitment on a revised timeline. Parliamentary business will be announced in the usual way.

Electronic Training Aids

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations he has received opposing the proposed ban on the use of electronic training collars since 2018.

Mark Spencer: Both during and after process of consultation in 2018, we have heard a range of views from stakeholders and correspondents on the proposed ban on electronic shock collars. We recognise that some people do not support the Government’s decision to ban electronic training collars controlled by hand-held devices that deliver an electric shock to cats or dogs. However, we have to balance these views against the need to protect dogs and cats from avoidable harm and suffering.

Food: Imports

Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason sealed refrigerated vehicles containing food for cruise ships sailing from UK ports are included in the Border Target Operating Model regime; if he will re-examine submissions made to the consultation on the provisional operating model in 2023 about this category of transit; and if he will make it his policy to exclude from the operating model sealed ships' stores that are in transit and not destined for use in the UK.

Mark Spencer: In response to stakeholder feedback on the draft Border Target Operating Model, we made a change to the timeline for the introduction of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls. Delaying the introduction of the SPS controls by three months has provided stakeholders additional requested time to prepare for the model. It also has the added benefit of bringing the implementation of controls closer to the introduction of further benefits to industry through the upcoming UK Single Trade Window. Movements of SPS animal origin goods that enter Great Britain for the purposes of supplying a ship due to leave from a different port to the one of entry follow the requirements for transit movements, with a reduced burden compared with imports for placing on the GB market. Unlike health certificates for medium risk products being imported into GB, public health attestations are not required for transit health certificates. This means they do not have to meet the same regulatory requirements as goods that are imported into GB, and it is therefore crucial that SPS controls are introduced on these products to prevent them from entering the GB internal market. Identity checks will be performed on medium risk goods for the purpose of supplying a ship at the same percentage as both identity and physical checks would be performed on an import of a medium risk good.

Electronic Training Aids

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what advice he has (a) commissioned and (b) received from the Animal Welfare Committee on the use of electronic training collars since 2018.

Mark Spencer: The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) has not been commissioned to produce advice on the use of e-collars for cats and dogs. The AWC report ‘Opinion on the welfare implications of using virtual fencing systems to contain, move and monitor livestock’ was published in October 2022. This opinion was limited to the welfare effects of electronic collars used as part of virtual containment systems for cattle, sheep and goats.

Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, why has he withdrawn the Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) England Regulations 2023.

Mark Spencer: The draft Regulations were laid before Parliament in April 2023 and specified a coming into force date of 1 February 2024. The Government’s intention was to allow pet owners who use these devices sufficient time to prepare, by retraining their dogs or cats using alternative training methods. Pressing ahead with the Regulations at the start of this year would have left an unacceptably short window for pet owners to adapt their training methods. The Government remains committed to introducing a ban on the use of e-collars. We will pursue new regulations to deliver this commitment on a timeline that is suitable for owners.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Written Questions

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to Questions (a) 11101, (b) 11102, (c) 11103 and (d) 11104, tabled by the hon. Member for Walthamstow on 23 January 2024; and for what reason his Department has been unable to answer the Questions within the usual time period.

Mark Spencer: Responses were published on 8 February 2024. Please accept my apologies for the delay. On this occasion, it was not possible to answer these questions within the usual time frame.

Hunting Act 2004

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of strengthening the Hunting Act 2004.

Rebecca Pow: This Government made a manifesto commitment not to change the Hunting Act 2004.

Ministry of Defence

Military Law

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people were found (a) guilty and (b) not guilty of the offence of (i) assisting an enemy, (ii) misconduct on operations, (iii) obstructing operations, (iv) mutiny, and (v) desertion in each year since 2015.

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people have been dishonourably discharged from service for (a) treason, (b) subterfuge, (c) espionage and (d) spying for a foreign power since 2014.

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel of what (a) service and (b) rank were found guilty of drugs possession in each year since 2015.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Court Martial results from the Military Court Service are available back to 2010 in a searchable format at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/court-martial-results-from-the-military-court-centres. Information includes rank, service, final legal charges, finding and overall sentence. However, the particulars of the offence are not included. The detailed information necessary to answer every question would require the recall of physical files from archives to examine each charge sheet, and this could only be achieved at disproportionate cost. In addition, the term ‘dishonourably discharged’, is not used by the UK Armed Forces.

Germany: Military Bases

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military bases the UK has maintained in Germany in each year since 2010.

James Cartlidge: The number of military bases maintained by the UK in Germany in each year since 2010 can be found in the table below: YearNumber of Bases Maintained in Germany201052011520125201352014520155201552016520173201822019220202202122022220232

Military Bases: Repairs and Maintenance

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of maintenance of military and defence bases in each year since 2015.

James Cartlidge: The maintenance costs for Ministry of Defence (MOD) bases in the UK and Overseas dating back to Financial Year 2018-19 is shown in the tables below (rounded to one decimal place). Defence Infrastructure Organisation FY2018-19FY2019-20FY2020-21FY2021-22FY2022-23£497.2 million£576 million£634.3 million£689.4 million£706.4 million Navy FY2018-19FY2019-20FY2020-21FY2021-22FY2022-23£67.4 million£68 million£59 million£61.6 million£71.1 million ArmyFY2018-19FY2019-20FY2020-21FY2021-22FY2022-23£5.5 million£6.4 million£6.7 million£4.4 million£4.8 million Defence Equipment & SupportFY2018-19FY2019-20FY2020-21FY2021-22FY2022-23£10.8 million£8.9 million£10.1 million£16.9 million£15 million Strategic CommandFY2018-19FY2019-20FY2020-21FY2021-22FY2022-23£3.1 million£4.1 million£2.3 million£0.3 million£0.4 million Maintenance on the majority of MOD bases is carried out under contracts managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. However, a proportion of bases are managed by other individual areas of the MOD and are detailed separately in corresponding tables above. Maintenance cost data prior to Financial Year 2018-19 is not held because IT systems and contracts were not configured to capture data in this way.

Armed Forces: Members

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on members of the armed forces contacting hon. Members.

Dr Andrew Murrison: Those serving in the Armed Forces are accountable to Ministers and should not therefore contact Members of Parliament regarding Defence business. They may however contact their Member of Parliament about personal matters affecting them directly, including their lived experience during their service. This includes issues related to: recruitment and training; terms and conditions of service; career management; discipline; housing; healthcare; and how defence policies and practices affect them and their families personally.

Ministry of Defence: Serco

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many contracts his Department has with Serco.

James Cartlidge: The Department currently has 11 open contracts with Serco.

Ministry of Defence: Serco

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the value is of the contracts his Department has with Serco.

James Cartlidge: The total value of contracts the Department currently has with Serco is £1.08 billion.

Gurkhas: Veterans

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he expects there to be further tripartite talks between (a) his Department, (b) Gurkha veterans and (c) the government of Nepal.

Dr Andrew Murrison: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 12925 on 8 February 2024.Gurkhas: Veterans (docx, 15.0KB)

Gurkha Welfare Trust

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with the Gurkha Welfare Trust in each year since 2019.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) is an independent charity that works closely with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Its focus is on the Gurkha welfare pensioners who need the most assistance. Minsters from the MOD have met with the GWT twice since 2019.The Minister for Defence People and Families met with the GWT Chairman and others in Nepal in January 2023 where he saw for himself the excellent work carried out by the GWT to support our Gurkha veterans and in September 2023, he met the GWT Executive Team and Directors in 2023 to better understand the medical provision in Nepal.

Gurkhas: Pensions

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what dates has the Minister for Defence People and Families had discussions with representatives from Nepal on pensions for Gurkha veterans in the UK in each year since 2019.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Government of Nepal on pensions for Gurkha veterans in the UK.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department has held tripartite discussions with Gurkha veterans and the Government of Nepal since 2022.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Bilateral Gurkha Veteran Welfare Committee, which is jointly chaired by the Minister for Defence People and Families and His Excellency, The Ambassador of Nepal, met on the following dates: 3 November 2022, 19 April 2023, and the 22 November 2023. The next Bilateral Gurkha Veteran Welfare Committee is due to take place 27 March 2024. In order to facilitate in depth technical discussion about welfare and pension concerns, a working group was set up. The membership of the working group includes Government of Nepal representatives, Gurkha veterans and widows as well as MOD and officials from other relevant Government departments. The working group met on: 30 November 2022, 15 December 2022, 15 June 2023, and the 11 September 2023. The next working group is due to meet on the 21 February 2024. The Government’s view is that the Gurkha Pension Scheme is fair. Gurkha pensions are different, but these differences are objectively and reasonably justified and well suited to the circumstances of the time. The legal basis for Gurkha pensions has been upheld by three Judicial Reviews since 2003, including a case that went to the European Court of Human Rights. The Tripartite Agreement 1947 (TPA 1947) is an agreement between the UK, Nepal and India that provides the formal basis for the employment of the Brigade of Gurkhas within the British Army. There are no Tripartite discussions currently.

Chinook Helicopters: Procurement

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated cost for the procurement of new Chinook H-47 extended-range helicopters is as of 5 February 2024.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his timetable is for taking a final decision on the procurement of Chinook H-47 extended-range helicopters.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the projected in-service date is for the first Chinook H-47 extended-range helicopters.

James Cartlidge: The Review Note for the Chinook extended range helicopter programme is due to be assessed by the Ministry of Defence Investment Approvals Committee in Quarter 1 2024 and will inform any future decisions affecting the current programme of record. As the assessed costs and schedule for the programme are currently under consideration it would be inappropriate to disclose the figures and programme timelines until a full review has taken place.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Carla Lockhart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase recruitment to the armed forces in Northern Ireland.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The Armed Forces recruit nationally and do not operate a specific policy of increasing recruitment from particular geographic areas. Armed Forces Career Offices are spread across the UK, including in Northern Ireland, and continue to provide core support to the Armed Forces’ national recruiting activities. The geographic footprint of Armed Forces Career Offices across the UK is complemented by dedicated call centres and online recruiting operations, ensuring that all UK communities have the same opportunity to join the Armed Forces as anyone else. In addition, the Services conduct outreach engagement programmes across the whole of the UK, delivering events such as career fairs, tactical campaigns and roadshows, supported by web-based information services and social media campaigns. These recruitment activities are further supported through strategic partnerships such as with JobCentrePlus, who provide additional face-to-face touchpoints with potential Armed Forces applicants. The Armed Forces regularly review their recruiting activities and associated resource in accordance with the requirement. A range of tangible short-term deliverables are being actioned to increasing the inflow into Armed Forces recruitment pipelines, all intended to increase the breadth of potential candidates and to drive efficiencies into recruitment systems. These ongoing and new initiatives are focused upon engaging the broad range of skills, experience and diversity needed to deliver that which our nation demands of our Armed Forces; and in the range of roles that are critical to enable this.

Veterans: Identity Cards

Carla Lockhart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to raise awareness of the HM Veterans Card to veterans living in Northern Ireland.

Dr Andrew Murrison: The new digital application and verification service for all pre-2018 service leavers went live at 00:01 on Sunday 28 January 2024. Alongside the launch, a promotional campaign to raise awareness of the HM Armed Forces Veteran recognition card's availability has been conducted covering social media, GOV.UK, Defence HQ and MOD-specific sites, Ministerial statements and the Sunday Express. For veterans in Northern Ireland, an additional service will also soon be implemented whereby cards can be delivered to one of a number of MOD locations for those who do not wish to receive delivery at their home address. The Northern Ireland Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) continue to provide support to veterans and promote the card's delivery options via their links with local charities, support service and ex-Service organisations.

Guided Weapons: Procurement

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to purchase precision strike missiles.

James Cartlidge: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps its capability requirements under review to ensure that we have a balanced and affordable capability portfolio which best meets our needs. As part of this ongoing work, the MOD is reviewing elements of its Land Deep Fires Programme, to ensure best Value for Money and the most appropriate military capabilities for the UK now and in the future.

Veterans: Sexual Harassment

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help prevent service personnel from leaving the armed forces after reporting sexual harassment.

Dr Andrew Murrison: It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the right hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

Home Office

British National (Overseas): Airports

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing British National (Overseas) passport holders to use e-gates at the UK border.

Tom Pursglove: The Government regularly reviews eGate eligibility for all groups, including British Nationals (Overseas). We have set out an ambitious vision for the future border in the New Plan for Immigration and remain committed to increasing the use of automation amongst those currently eligible and exploring options to allow more cohorts to use eGates.

Visas: Graduates

Neil O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the review of the graduate visa route by the Migration Advisory Committee has begun.

Tom Pursglove: The Migration Advisory Committee have not yet been commissioned to review the Graduate route.

Immigration Controls

Dehenna Davison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to reduce net migration.

Tom Pursglove: The Government remains completely committed to reducing levels of legal migration. Our points-based immigration system allows us to control who comes to the UK to work, study and visit. In May 2023, we took decisive action to tackle the substantial rise in the number of students bringing dependants to the UK. These reforms have now been implemented.   On 4 December, the Home Secretary announced a new package of measures to further reduce legal net migration. These include: limitations on family dependants being brought in by care workers and senior care workers; increasing the salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route; commissioning the Migration Advisory Committee to review the Shortage Occupation List and raising the minimum income requirement progressively over the next few years. This package of measures, taken together with the measures the Government announced in May 2023 to restrict the number of overseas students able to bring dependants, means that around 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK last year would not be able to do so in future. We keep all our immigration policies under review to ensure they best serve the UK and reflect the public’s priorities, including filling skills gaps and growing the economy.

Police: Foreign Nationals

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of police officers are not British nationals in (a) England and (b) Wales.

Laura Farris: The Home Office does not collect information on the nationality of police officers employed by police forces in England and Wales.

Organised Crime: Lincolnshire

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to help reduce levels of organised crime in Lincolnshire.

Laura Farris: This Government is committed to tackling the threat from Serious and Organised Crime (SOC). It has recently published a new SOC strategy that commits to reducing SOC in the UK by disrupting and dismantling organised crime groups and networks operating in and against the UK. The Home Office is committed to ensuring that the police have the resources they need. Ultimately, it is for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), and Mayors with PCC functions to make operational decisions based on their local knowledge and experience. This includes how to allocate resources to reduce levels of organised crime. Chief Constables, PCCs and Mayors with PCC functions have provided significant resource to the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) network by allocating 725 extra officers to ROCUs between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2023. Those officers are tackling the range of SOC threats, helping to reduce crime and keep communities safe.

Fire and Rescue Services: Equality

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a new equality and diversity strategy in the Fire and Rescue Services that incorporates the standards and best practice set out in the terms of reference of the Inclusive Fire Service Group (IFSG).

Laura Farris: The Home Office recognises the importance of improving equality, diversity and inclusion in Fire and Rescue Services. In setting the right direction, performance can be improved through unlocking talent and improving representation, as set out through Government’s actions in the Fire Reform White Paper. The Home Office provides funding to the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFFC) People Programme to support leadership to fire and rescue services The People Programme provides national good practice guidance and tools to support improvements in local services.

Fire Prevention: Certification

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reintroducing mandatory fire certificates for (a) houses in multiple occupation, (b) hospitals, (c) shopping centres and (d) other designated premises where people congregate in significant numbers.

Laura Farris: The concept of a fire safety certificate was replaced in 2006 when the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) came into force and the Fire Precautions Act 1971 was repealed. We have no current plans to re-introduce them.The FSO places a range of legal duties on Responsible Persons (the person in control of a premises), chief among which are the need to undertake a fire risk assessment to identify any general fire safety precautions that need to be taken to ensure that the premises, and people within it, are safe from fire, put those precautions in place and ensure they are subject to a suitable system of maintenance. Houses of multiple occupation, hospitals, shopping centres and places of congregation all fall within the scope of the FSO.In 2019, the Home Office ran a Call for Evidence on the FSO, and the vast majority of respondents agreed that the scope and objectives of the FSO remain appropriate and it continues to provide an effective and proportionate regulatory framework.Nevertheless, we have since taken action to further strengthen the FSO through the Fire Safety Act 2021, which clarified that the external walls, structure and flat entrance doors in multi-occupied residential premises are in scope, and through Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 which, amongst other things, introduced changes to make it easier for enforcement authorities to take action when appropriate, improve information sharing with residents and increase cooperation between Responsible Persons when there is more than one in a specific building.

Fire and Rescue Services: Staff

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a minimum safe crewing requirement to have five firefighters on every pumping appliance.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of consulting with fire safety stakeholders on the creation of UK-wide response standards in fire and rescue services.

Laura Farris: The Government supports the continuous improvement of fire and rescue services and established a sector led Fire Standards Board that develops professional standards for the sector. The suite of professional standards created by the Fire Standards Board includes strategic standards on operational preparedness and operational competence.The Fire Standards Board consult widely on each of their standards prior to publication.Decisions on how their resources, including staff, are best deployed to meet their core functions including crewing and meeting response times, is a matter for each fire and rescue authority, based on risks identified within local Community Risk Management Plans.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

British Virgin Islands: Politics and Government

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of implementation of the recommendations made in the Commission of Inquiry report for governance reform in the British Virgin Islands.

David Rutley: Progress on implementing the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Commission of Inquiry recommendations has been too slow. I (Minister Rutley) was in the BVI from 4-6 February to discuss how to speed up delivery with the elected BVI Government and others working directly on governance reforms. The Premier gave a firm commitment to accelerating matters with a target of the end of May for completion of the reforms. Over the coming weeks, I will continue to engage closely on implementation in order that the people of BVI get the good governance they deserve.